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Deconstruction, Derrida

In this introduction to the work of Jacques Derrida, Julian Wolfreys challenges the notion that what Derrida does can be turned into a theory for literary interpretation. He questions the belief in a critical methodology called deconstruction which can be applied to literary texts in a programmatic fashion. Wolfreys introduces the reader to the range of Derrida's interests and concerns, while tendering readings, informed by Derrida's thought of canonical and less well-known literary works. He works through considerations of what deconstruction might or might not be, while offering a critical appreciation of the reception of Derrida's work within the institution of literary criticism.Read more...

Introduction: 'Deconstruction, if such a thing exists ... ' --
1. Another Introduction / Entamer: In Medias Res or, Is There Some Thing Called 'Deconstruction'? --
2. Preparatory to Anything Else: Derrida's Interests --
3. Writing (of) Identities: Facing up to Derrida or, the Example of Paul Valery --
4. The Hauntological Example: The City as the Haunt of Writing in the Texts of Iain Sinclair --
5. Heart? of Darkness? Reading in the Dark with J. Hillis Miller and Joseph Conrad --
Afterword(s): Contrary to the 'Logic of the Heading'.

Abstract:

In this introduction to the work of Jacques Derrida, Julian Wolfreys challenges the notion that what Derrida does can be turned into a theory for literary interpretation. He questions the belief in a critical methodology called deconstruction which can be applied to literary texts in a programmatic fashion. Wolfreys introduces the reader to the range of Derrida's interests and concerns, while tendering readings, informed by Derrida's thought of canonical and less well-known literary works. He works through considerations of what deconstruction might or might not be, while offering a critical appreciation of the reception of Derrida's work within the institution of literary criticism.

"In this introduction to the work of Jacques Derrida, Julian Wolfreys challenges the notion that what Derrida does can be turned into a theory for literary interpretation. He questions the belief in a critical methodology called deconstruction which can be applied to literary texts in a programmatic fashion. Wolfreys introduces the reader to the range of Derrida's interests and concerns, while tendering readings, informed by Derrida's thought of canonical and less well-known literary works. He works through considerations of what deconstruction might or might not be, while offering a critical appreciation of the reception of Derrida's work within the institution of literary criticism."@en